Briefly, the 4:00 p.m. Burning Law states: from February 15 through April 30 of each year, no burning before 4:00 p.m. is permitted, if the fire is in, or within 300 feet of, woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable material.

Since forest fuels cure during the winter months, the danger of fire is higher in early spring than in summer when the forest and grasses are green with new growth. The 4:00 p.m. Burning Law is an effective tool in the prevention of forest fires. Localities may have more restrictive outdoor burning laws.

You can read the full text of the law § 10.1-1142 on our website.

Debris burning continues to be the leading cause of forest fires in Virginia. The 4:00 p.m. Burning Law is different from the burning bans, which are invoked only during periods of extreme fire danger.

For more information and complete copies of the law, please contact your local VDOF office.